Dr. Denise A. Soares
- Position: Dean and Professor
- Department: School of Education
- Office Location: Building 85/Suite 103
- dsoares@uwf.edu
- Campus: 850.474.2893
Biography
Dr. Denise A. Soares serves as Dean of the School of Education and Professor of Special Education at the University of West Florida. She joined UWF in January 2025 after serving as Professor of Special Education and Assistant Dean/Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Mississippi.
Dr. Soares is an educational leader, scholar, and practitioner dedicated to strengthening educator preparation, advancing innovative academic programs, and building meaningful partnerships between universities, schools, and communities. Throughout her career, she has focused on bridging the gap between research and practice by developing sustainable systems that improve outcomes for educators, students, and the communities they serve.
As Dean, Dr. Soares provides leadership for academic programs, accreditation, strategic planning, faculty development, research initiatives, and community partnerships. Her leadership emphasizes continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation while supporting high-quality teaching, student success, and workforce development. She has led initiatives focused on expanding graduate education, redesigning doctoral pathways, strengthening educator preparation programs, and creating systems that better support faculty and students.
Prior to joining UWF, Dr. Soares served in multiple leadership roles at the University of Mississippi, including Assistant Dean and Director of Graduate Studies, Assistant Chair of Teacher Education, and Program Coordinator for Special Education programs. Her administrative experience includes oversight of graduate education, program development, accreditation, enrollment initiatives, faculty support, and strategic improvement efforts.
Dr. Soares began her career as a classroom teacher and administrator, bringing 18 years of PK–12 experience to her work in higher education. This foundation continues to shape her commitment to practical, evidence-based solutions that address the real challenges educators face in schools.
Her research focuses on academic and behavioral interventions for students at risk and students with disabilities, with particular attention to the implementation and effectiveness of evidence-based practices in authentic classroom settings. She has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, books, and book chapters focused on special education, behavioral interventions, inclusive practices, and improving educational systems.
Degrees & Institutions
Dr. Soares earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Special Education from Texas A&M University, her M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston, and her B.S. in Elementary Education with a specialization in Special Education from Texas State University.